Orioles reset: How many All-Stars could Baltimore have? These five players deserve a hard look.

In 2016, the Orioles had five players make the All-Star Game. They’ve failed to have more than the minimum of one in the five Midsummer Classics since.

All-Star voting is underway, with the first phase of fan voting ending June 22. It’s unlikely the Orioles will have five All-Stars as they did in 2016 with Manny Machado, Mark Trumbo, Matt Wieters, Brad Brach and Zach Britton. But it’s almost certain these Orioles will have more than the one they’ve had in each year since 2017.

Through the first 40% of the season, five Orioles players are having All-Star caliber campaigns, and that’s not including center fielder Cedric Mullins, who was perhaps the club’s best player before a right groin strain put him on the injured list.

Here are the five Orioles who could represent Baltimore at the All-Star Game this summer in Seattle, from least to most likely.

Tyler Wells

With many starting pitchers having outstanding seasons in the American League, Wells’ path to an All-Star selection is narrow. His 3.24 ERA is more than solid, ranking 12th among qualified pitchers in the AL, but only about six starters will make the team. Pitchers like Tampa Bay Rays’ Shane McClanahan (2.18 ERA), Minnesota Twins’ Sonny Gray (2.25), Texas Rangers’ Nathan Eovaldi (2.49) and Toronto Blue Jays’ Kevin Gausman (3.12) all have better cases, leaving Wells and about 10 other starters competing for the final few spots.

On the other hand, it doesn’t take too much searching to argue for Wells’ candidacy. The 6-foot-8 right-hander is the best starting pitcher for the third best team in the AL based on win-loss record. Also, no starting pitcher in the major leagues has been better at preventing base runners than Wells, who ranks first in WHIP at 0.85 and second in batting average against. No other starter has a WHIP below 0.96, and the only pitcher allowing a lower batting average is Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Austin Hays

For the second straight season, Hays is the Orioles’ best hitter through the first 65 games of the season. At this point last year, Hays had an .824 OPS before he slumped in the second half to end with a .719 OPS. This season, Hays has an .830 OPS that doesn’t just rank best on the Orioles but is among the best for AL outfielders.

His .301 batting average ranks fourth in the Junior Circuit and first among the league’s outfielders. While his .382 batting average on balls in play suggests regression could be coming Hays’ way, it’s not as if his high average is lucky. He ranks in the top third in the majors in average exit velocity, hard hit percentage, expected batting average and expected slugging percentage, according to Baseball Savant. And while he hasn’t been the defensive player he was in 2021, Hays overcame a rough start with the glove with an outstanding May. His arm is one of the strongest among outfielders, and his four assists rank tied for third in the majors.

Like Wells, though, Hays has a tough path to the Midsummer Classic. He isn’t the best left fielder in his own division — that’s Rays star Randy Arozarena — and other outfielders such as 2022 All-Stars starters Mike Trout and Aaron Judge are likely to garner spots on the roster as well.

Yennier Cano

If someone said in March that Cano would be a candidate to make the All-Star Game, it would have been unimaginable. It isn’t anymore. Cano has been one of the most dominant relief pitchers in the major leagues since he was recalled from Triple-A in mid-April. Entering Sunday, his 1.4 wins above replacement on FanGraphs was tied for the best in the major leagues, and his 1.06 ERA ranks third among relievers, as he’s allowed just 20 hits and four walks in 34 innings.

While he has four saves, he isn’t the Orioles’ closer, and it could be more difficult for one to get a spot on the All-Star roster without that status. However, with the mind-boggling numbers he’s putting up on top of his skill set as a sinkerballer — a 66.3% ground ball rate and an average launch angle of minus-6.9 degrees — he would be a valuable arm in the AL’s bullpen.

Adley Rutschman

Despite being voted as the Most Valuable Oriole by the media last year, Rutschman wasn’t the Orioles’ All-Star representative because he wasn’t promoted until late May and then got off to a slow start. It seems likely that the star catcher will earn his first All-Star Game nod in his first full big league season.

Rutschman’s .800 OPS isn’t near the top of the league, but among catchers, a position with weaker offensive performers, he’s among the best. His OPS ranks second among AL catchers, while his .390 on-base percentage is first. His 1.5 WAR on FanGraphs is second-best behind Rangers catcher Jonah Heim. While Rutschman hasn’t displayed tons of power this season with a .410 slugging percentage, his plate discipline is what makes him one of the best hitters at getting on base in the majors. His OBP ranks fifth in the AL, while his 16.3% walk rate is third best.

Especially at a weaker position, Rutschman will likely be in Seattle.

Félix Bautista

Do you even need convincing?

Bautista should be a shoo-in for the All-Star Game. Rutschman is the face of the Orioles and the club’s best player, but Bautista might be the best closer in the major leagues. His presence in Seattle will make him the second Orioles closer in as many seasons to represent the club at the All-Star Game and fifth in the past 11.

His 1.4 FanGraphs WAR is tied with Cano for best among MLB relievers. He’s the best strikeout pitcher in the majors, punching out an eye-popping 18.58 batters per nine innings. In 31 innings, Bautista has struck out 64 batters with a 1.16 ERA and 17 saves — tied for the third most in the majors.

It’s quite possible, if Cano also makes it, that the Orioles could have both members of the back end of their bullpen in the All-Star Game.

What’s to come?

The Orioles get a day off — the third of six they’ll have in June — Monday before hosting the Toronto Blue Jays for a three-game series. The first time the two teams met this season, Baltimore (41-24) swept Toronto, winning the final two games in extra innings. The Blue Jays were struggling when the Orioles traveled to Canada in late May. That’s no longer the case, as Toronto (36-30) has won seven of its past 10 games.

After hosting the Blue Jays, the Orioles will make their second trip to Chicago for a three-game series. After taking two of three from the White Sox in April, the Orioles will take on the Cubs, who are in fourth place in the National League Central with a 28-37 record. The trip to the North Side of Chicago will be a return for manager Brandon Hyde, who spent five years on the coaching staff and helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016.

What was good?

Gunnar Henderson. A month ago, Henderson was slashing .170/.341/.310 for a meager .651 OPS. After going 3-for-5 with a mammoth home run Sunday, Henderson is slashing .236/.349/.455 for an .804 OPS.

He missed the first game of last week with lower-back discomfort, but it clearly didn’t hinder him once he returned. The 21-year-old went 10-for-19 with three home runs and six RBIs in the final five games of the week. Henderson was moved to the leadoff spot Saturday against the Kansas City Royals and certainly earned that role moving forward against right-handed starting pitchers with Mullins on the shelf.

What wasn’t?

Ryan Mountcastle. He didn’t hit well as he continues to slump, but it’s more so that the first baseman isn’t feeling well. The Orioles’ home run leader missed all three games against the Royals with an illness.

Before he got sick, Mountcastle went 0-for-8 with five strikeouts in two games against the Milwaukee Brewers. In early May, his slugging percentage was over .500, but that figure is now down to .421. He has a .264 on-base percentage.

On the farm

The seasons for the Florida Complex League and Dominican Summer League began last week. The teams the Orioles have in those leagues are for their youngest prospects, with teenagers mostly making up those rosters. Luis Almeyda, whom the Orioles signed as an international free agent for a franchise-record $2.3 million bonus in January at 16 years old, hit the first home run of his professional career Thursday.

Blue Jays at Orioles

Tuesday, 7:05 p.m.

TV: MASN2

Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM

()